Indonesia: Over 180,000 COVID-19 cases reported as of September 2 /update 36

Event

Indonesian health authorities have confirmed over 180,000 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases as of Wednesday, September 2. In the last 24 hours, the country has seen its highest number of daily cases since the pandemic started in March, with 3622 cases reported. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the country stands at 184,268, with 7750 associated deaths.

Indonesian authorities announced on August 28 that large scale social restrictions in Jakarta, previously implemented in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19, had been extended until September 10, amid a rise in the number of cases in the country. Under the restrictions, individuals are only permitted to leave their homes for essential purposes, and businesses are required to operate at a reduced capacity and implement work-from-home measures.

Separately, Bali's Governor Wayan Koster has announced that the reopening of the island to international tourism, scheduled for September 11, had been postponed.

Travel measures are currently in effect and include the prohibition of all entry and transit by foreign nationals into or throughout Indonesia. These measures also include the entry of foreign workers. Wearing face masks in public is also mandatory. Restaurants, places of worship, and public transportation are operating at limited capacity. However, foreigners with a limited stay permit card (Kitas), permanent stay permit card (Kitap), or other similar permits will still be allowed to enter the country.

Further international spread of the virus is expected in the near term.

Context

The first case of COVID-19 was reported on December 31 and the source of the outbreak has been linked to a wet market in Wuhan (Hubei province, China). Since then, human-to-human transmission of the virus has been confirmed.

Cases of the virus have been confirmed in numerous countries and territories worldwide. On March 11, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the global outbreak a pandemic. Virus-screening and quarantining measures are being implemented at airports worldwide, as well as extensive travel restrictions.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, dry cough, and tiredness. Some patients may experience other symptoms such as body pains, nasal congestion, headache, conjunctivitis, sore throat, diarrhea, loss of taste or smell or a rash on skin or discoloration of fingers or toes. These symptoms (in most cases mild) appear gradually. Generally, most patients (around 80 percent) recover from the disease without being hospitalized.

Advice

Measures adopted by local authorities evolve quickly and are usually effective immediately. Depending on the evolution of the outbreak in other countries, authorities are likely to modify, at very short notice, the list of countries whose travelers are subject to border control measures or entry restrictions upon their arrival to the territory in question. It is advised to postpone nonessential travel due to the risk that travelers may be refused entry or be subject to quarantine upon their arrival or during their stay.

To reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, travelers are advised to abide by the following measures:

• Frequently clean hands by applying an alcohol-based hand rub or washing with soap and water.
• When coughing and sneezing, cover mouth and nose with a flexed elbow or tissue; if used, throw the tissue away immediately and wash hands.
• If experiencing a fever, cough, difficulty breathing, or any other symptoms suggestive of respiratory illness, including pneumonia, call emergency services before going to the doctor or hospital to prevent the potential spread of the disease.